Dinjith Ayyathan says ‘disappointed’ over Kishkindha Kaandam not winning Best Script at Kerala State Film Awards | Exclusive

Kishkindha Kaandam fetched Malayalam actor Asif Ali his very first Kerala State Film Award for his performance as Ajayan in Dinjith Ayyathan’s second directorial. The slow-burn thriller received another award for the best editor for Sooraj. Though Dinjith Ayyathan is happy for the honour bestowed on Asif and Sooraj, the director rued the lack of an award for the script by Bahul Ramesh, which he believes it truly deserved. Senior actor Vijayaraghavan failing to get a mention at the recently announced 55th Kerala State Film Awards is another grievance that Dinjith Ayyathan shared during an exclusive interview with OTTplay.

Dinjith on no Kerala State Award for Bahul Ramesh's script, Vijayaraghavan

The 2024 Malayalam film Kishkindha Kaandam was penned by Bahul Ramesh. A slow-burn thriller, Kishkindha Kaandam narrated a gripping tale, revolving around a missing boy, a misplaced pistol and a herd of monkeys near an old bungalow along the forest fringes. The unpredictable plot was the biggest strength of Kishkindha Kaandam, and the lack of recognition at the State Awards has left its director Dinjith Ayyathan disappointed.

“Pratheekshuchirunu, palathum pratheekshichurunu (We had expectations)... I really expected the script would win. I don't think there has been such an intense script in recent times. I am disappointed over the script not getting the award,” Dinjith told OTTplay.

Chidambaram won the Best Screenplay award for Manjummel Boys, the much-popular survival thriller which he had also directed. It was a big sweep for Manjummel Boys at the 55th Kerala State Film Awards, winning as many as 10 awards, including the Best Film.

Dinjith too agrees that the Chidambaram directorial is good. “Manjummel Boys is a really good film. It is a film I really like. But the script is.. what upsets me. Kishkindha Kaandam should have won because I have not seen such a script in recent times,” reiterated the director.

“It was also disappointing that Vijayaraghavan Chettan did not get an award. He too deserves to get recognition,” added Dinjith.

Senior actor Vijayaraghavan was said to be in contention for the Best Actor award, along with Asif Ali and the veteran Mammootty. But it was the legendary Mammootty who won the Best Actor Award for a record seventh time for his performance in the period folk-horror film Bramayugam. Asif Ali, on the other hand, was honoured with a Special Jury Mention though he missed out on the top award.

Also read: Mammootty truly deserves award for Bramayugam, why we agree with Prakash Raj’s ‘award committee is not a charity organisation’ 

Vijayaraghavan’s performance as Appu Pillai in Kishkindha Kaandam, an elderly man refusing to give in to a condition of memory loss as he resolutely probes what happened to his 5-year-old grandson, was applauded by critics. But the senior actor, who was recently honoured with the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Pookalam, completely lost out at the state front.

Meanwhile, Dinjith Ayyathan’s next film Eko, also penned by Bahul Ramesh, would release in theatres on November 21, 2025.

FAQs

Q. Is Kishkindha Kandam a real story?

A. Kishkindha Kandam is a fictional story penned by Bahul Ramesh. You can watch Dinjith Ayyathan's film on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium.

Q. Who is the Best Actor in Kerala in 2024?

A. Mammootty won the Best Actor in Kerala in 2024. The iconic star bagged his seventh Kerala State Award for his performance in Bramayugam.

Q. Who is the most Kerala State Award winner actor?

A. Veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty has won the most number of Kerala State Awards for Best Actor. The iconic star bagged his seventh Kerala State Award for his performance in Bramayugam, finally breaking the tie with superstar Mohanlal.

Q. Which is the best film in Kerala in 2024?

A. Manjummel Boys won the Best Film in the 55th Kerala State Awards. Chidambaram's survival thriller is streaming on JioHotstar via OTTplay Premium.